| Join Our List |
|
|
|
|
 "We educate, advocate, and act in collaboration with others for the dignity of life and the care of all creation."-
Love Gives Everything. "Urged by the love of Christ and of our sisters and brothers, we work actively toward enhancing just structures that foster fullness of life and toward changing unjust structures that inhibit it." -
Shalom Document.
Thank you for all you do to make a difference in our world!
|
|
Shalom North America Contacts
|
Click here
for our printer-friendly (pdf) version of the newsletter.
|
|
Integrity of Creation
|
|
 Our Relationship with the Triune God - Reflecting on
Laudato Si' and
Love Gives Everything
Laudato Si' presents the harmony of nature as it retells us, "The Father is the ultimate source of everything, the loving and self-communicating foundation of all that exists. The Son, his reflection, through whom all things were created, united himself to this earth when he was formed in the womb of Mary. The Spirit, infinite bond of love, is intimately present at the very heart of the universe, inspiring and bringing new pathways. . . . Consequently, 'when we contemplate with wonder the universe in all its grandeur and beauty, we must praise the whole Trinity'." (238) In
Love Gives Everything we read, "We deepen our consciousness of who we are in relationship with the Triune God, one another, and God's amazing universe, particularly through theological reflection on the Trinity."
Back to Top
|
|
Integrity of Creation
|
|
 World Wetlands Day (2/2)
We celebrate World Wetlands Day to raise global awareness about the important role wetlands play for people and the entire planet. This year's theme "Wetlands for a Sustainable Urban Future," highlights how essential urban wetlands are to city life and sustainable development. You'll find all kinds of educational materials and an event listing
here.
Back to Top
|
|
Integrity of Creation
|
|
 Comment Period Extended for Proposed Repeal of the Clean Power Plan
Good news - the EPA has extended the deadline for accepting comments on the
proposed repeal of the Clean Power Plan until April 26. The Catholic Climate Covenant and other faith and environmental groups are urging the EPA to not revoke the CPP. Repealing the plan will leave our air, waters, and people, particularly the poor, vulnerable.
Learn more,
let your voice be heard.
|
|
Human Life and Dignity
|
|
 Black History Month
During Black History Month we celebrate the role people of African descent have played in shaping the development of the
U.S. and
Canada. We invite you to explore
this toolbox for African American History Month that includes resources, both revised and new, on racial justice and nonviolent protest; important figures of the Civil Rights movement; and the arts. We also invite you to reflect on
Catholic Social Thought and Racial Solidarity.
Back to Top
|
|
Human Life and Dignity
|
|
 Global Education
On February 2, world leaders will be meeting in Dakar, Senegal, to pledge their support for the right of every child, everywhere, to receive a quality education by supporting the Global Partnership for Education (GPE). A staggering 263 million children and youth around the globe are not in school, and millions more don't gain the necessary skills to read and write due to a poor-quality education. This isn't right. Urge your Senator to voice their support for Global Education.
|
|
Human Life and Dignity
|
|
 DACA Deal Reality
Stakeholders working toward a deal on the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, those young undocumented immigrants who came to the U.S. as children, are still hopeful. But the restrictions dictated by the White House and some Republicans pose a tremendous gap to bridge. The proposed deal does offer a path to citizenship for an estimated 1.8 million undocumented immigrants, but also supports upwards of $25 billion for a wall and other border security. It also ends family migration beyond spouses and minor children and abolishes the diversity visa lottery.
The best chance for a legislative solution for Dreamers may very well be as part of negotiations associated with a spending bill Congress needs to pass by February 8 - so contacting Congress now is essential. We urge you to send emails/write letters, make phone calls, and pray - lots of prayers.
|
|
Human Life and Dignity
|
|
 Temporary Protected Status
Since earthquakes in El Salvador in January and February of 2001 destroyed thousands of homes and killed more than 1,000 people, nearly 200,000 people from that country have been allowed to live in the United States. But the Trump administration says that the TPS program has turned into a somewhat permanent benefit for those people and, since the conditions caused by the earthquake no longer exist, the TPS designation must be terminated. Salvadorans have until September of 2019 to get their affairs in order and leave this country. Advocates say that, although El Salvador has rebuilt since the earthquakes, extreme violence in the country has inhibited investment and job creation and prompted tens of thousands to flee. Therefore, TPS is still needed. Read LCWR's statement.
|
|
Human Life and Dignity
|
|
 Human Trafficking Found in Over 9,000 Massage Businesses
By mapping and cross referencing numerous publicly available datasets, Polaris found more than 9,000 illicit massage businesses operating in America. They exist in every single state and revenues for these businesses total approximately $2.5 billion a year. Evidence gathered from the Hotline, from focus groups and from extensive case studies suggest that thousands of women are being trafficked in massage parlors in the United States on any given day. Learn more, take action.
|
|
Human Life and Dignity
|
|
 International Day of Prayer and Awareness Against Human Trafficking
Catholics around the world observe February 8 as a day of prayer and awareness against human trafficking. The date corresponds with the feast day of St. Josephine Bakhita, who was kidnapped as a child and sold into slavery in Sudan and Italy. Once Josephine was freed, she became a Canossian nun and dedicated her life to sharing her testament of deliverance from slavery and comforting the poor and suffering. Education and reflection resources, prayer service, prayer card. Let your voice be heard about three human trafficking related bills currently before Congress.
|
|
Human Life and Dignity
|
|
 International Day of Women and Girls in Science (2/20)
The world needs science and science needs women. Girls and women must be empowered at every level in learning and research across all scientific fields. This goal underpins the
Manifesto 'For Women in Science' that UNESCO launched last year to engage Governments and stakeholders in promoting the full participation of girls and women in science. We must raise awareness about the work of women scientists by providing equal opportunities for women's participation and leadership in a broad spectrum of high-level scientific bodies and events.
Prayer resource,
take action.
|
|
Human Life and Dignity
|
|
 International Mother Language Day (2/21)
Languages, with their complex implications for identity, communication, social integration, education and development, are of strategic importance for people and planet. When languages fade, so does the world's rich tapestry of cultural diversity.
Learn more, infographic on
value of multilingual education.
|
|
Peace and Non-Violence
|
|
 Human Rights World Report 2018
This year's report represents Human Rights Watch's 28th annual review of human rights practices around the globe. It summarizes key human rights issues in more than 90 countries and territories worldwide, drawing on events from late 2016 through November 2017.
Learn more.
|
|
Peace and Non-Violence
|
|
World Day of Social Justice (2/20)
Social justice is an underlying principle for peaceful and prosperous coexistence within and among nations. The United Nations works to advance social justice by removing barriers faced by people because of gender, age, race, ethnicity, religion, culture or disability. On this day, consider what kinds of barriers of attitude or judgment or practice you might need to dismantle in your ministry, your community or your own personal life. This
Prayer for the World Day of Social Justice calls us to choose again and again to be grounded in prophetic hope and to affirm the possibility of justice and peace.
|
|
Peace and Non-Violence
|
|
 Lenten Reflection Guide - Embracing Jesus' Practice of Nonviolence
In commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., our friends from the Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns have put together a Lenten Reflection Guide based on each week's Gospel reading and the six principles of nonviolence offered by Dr. King in
Stride Toward Freedom, his memoir of the 1957 Montgomery bus boycott. According to Dr. King, the book is ''the chronicle of 50,000 Negroes who took to heart the principles of nonviolence, who learned to fight for their rights with the weapon of love, and who in the process, acquired a new estimate of their own human worth."
Download the Lenten Reflection Guide.
|
|
| Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. - Love Your Enemies Speech |
|
|
|
The SSND International Shalom Network witnesses to the Gospel with audacity and hope as we collaborate to build just relationships and respond to the urgent needs of our times.
|
 Shalom News North America is an e-publication of the Shalom North America Contacts (SNAC) of the School Sisters of Notre Dame - Arlene Flaherty, Ethel Howley, Jeanne Wingenter, Rose Mary Sander, and Tim Dewane. Your comments, suggestions, and feedback are always welcomed. Email us at
[email protected].
Please only print this e-publication if necessary.
|
|
|
| |
|
